Hollywood Notables at AFT Conference To Honor Favorite Public School Teachers
 Famous Actors/Writers to Present "Teachers Make a Difference" Awards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a special session of the American Federation of Teachers' QuEST conference, famous actors and writers will be honoring the public school teachers who made a significant impact on their lives and helped steer them toward success.  The event, jointly sponsored by the AFT and The Creative Coalition (TCC), highlights the remarkable difference teachers can make.

The famous actors and writers who will be honoring their former teachers on Thursday, July 7:

Phylicia Rashad (actor) with Vivian Harrison, Phylicia’s music teacher at Turner Elementary School in Houston; and James Harrison, who was Phylicia’s orchestra teacher at Miller Junior High School in Houston.  The Harrisons are married.

Steve Buscemi (actor) with Carl Riccobono, Steve’s fourth-grade teacher at Shaw Avenue Elementary School in Valley Stream, N.Y.

Antwone Fisher (author of his memoir, which was made into a film directed by and starring Denzel Washington) with Brenda Profit, Antwone’s fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade teacher at Parkwood Elementary School in Cleveland.

Joe Pantoliano (actor and TCC co-president) with Donna Regan, Joe’s 12th-grade teacher at Cliffside Park High School in Cliffside Park, N.J.

Lawrence O’Donnell Jr. (writer/producer, The West Wing; and TV political commentator) will interview the celebrities and their teachers.  He will be honoring Doug Stoll, his daughter’s fifth-grade teacher at Canyon Public Charter School in Los Angeles.

WHAT:   Hollywood notables and the teachers who made a difference in their lives
WHEN:   July 7, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hilton Washington, International Ballroom

"Like most people, these celebrities were able to pick a public school teacher who helped set them on their future course of success.  Every day in every city, teachers are inspiring kids and giving them the foundation for the rest of their lives," said AFT Executive Vice President Antonia Cortese.

# # # #